Rubio offers condolences to UAE for Iran attacks, vows support

2026-03-18 - 10:39

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reached out to UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday, offering condolences and security reassurances amid ongoing Iranian attacks targeting Gulf nations, the State Department announced in a written statement. Condolences and Reassurance According to the statement, Rubio "expressed his condolences for those killed in Iran's indiscriminate attacks on the UAE" and "reaffirmed the US commitment to the security of the Emirates." The call reflects Washington's efforts to maintain close coordination with Gulf partners as the regional conflict expands. No additional details regarding the conversation were provided by State Department officials. Regional Context The diplomatic engagement occurs against a backdrop of escalating hostilities following the Feb. 28 joint US-Israeli offensive on Iran, which has claimed approximately 1,300 lives, including that of then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran has responded with sustained drone and missile barrages targeting what it describes as US military assets across multiple countries, including Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf Cooperation Council states. The UAE has emerged as one of the most frequently targeted nations in the campaign. Gulf Security Concerns Rubio's outreach underscores growing US concern for Gulf partners caught in the crossfire of the broader US-Iran confrontation. The UAE, along with other Gulf states hosting American military infrastructure, faces continued aerial threats that have caused casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruption to commercial aviation and global markets. Washington's reaffirmation of security commitments seeks to reassure allies while the conflict shows no signs of de-escalation.